Multifunctional channels as key components of biotrophic interfaces in legumes. In legumes there are two types of membrane interfaces between different genomes that are critical for growth and yield (nitrogen fixation and seed loading), which require cell-signalling pathways to control nutrient exchange. The membranes of these interfaces contain specialised proteins that form multifunctional channels through which water, uncharged molecules and electrolytes move. These channels are likely to be ....Multifunctional channels as key components of biotrophic interfaces in legumes. In legumes there are two types of membrane interfaces between different genomes that are critical for growth and yield (nitrogen fixation and seed loading), which require cell-signalling pathways to control nutrient exchange. The membranes of these interfaces contain specialised proteins that form multifunctional channels through which water, uncharged molecules and electrolytes move. These channels are likely to be responsible for supporting the bulk of transported nutrients and in controlling their exchange. We aim to discover how these channels function in nitrogen fixation and seed loading with a view to developing new technologies that may enhance crop productivity.Read moreRead less
Small is beautiful: Did gene-rich regions of mammal chromosomes evolve from microchromosomes? Most birds and reptile genomes feature many tiny microchromosomes. These are not junk, as previously thought, but contain most of the genes. Mammals lack microchromosomes, but contain gene-rich regions with similar attributes. We suggest that microchromosomes originated by genome duplication, and evolved into the gene-rich regions of mammalian chromosomes. We will test this hypothesis by comparing seque ....Small is beautiful: Did gene-rich regions of mammal chromosomes evolve from microchromosomes? Most birds and reptile genomes feature many tiny microchromosomes. These are not junk, as previously thought, but contain most of the genes. Mammals lack microchromosomes, but contain gene-rich regions with similar attributes. We suggest that microchromosomes originated by genome duplication, and evolved into the gene-rich regions of mammalian chromosomes. We will test this hypothesis by comparing sequences and genes in microchromosomes of birds, reptiles and monotremes. This will clarify the origin and evolution of the ?microgenome?, establish its suitability as a model for vertebrate genome organisation, and demonstrate whether microchromosomes are the ancestors of the gene-rich regions of mammalian chromosomes.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of PQ loop proteins in plants: are they voltage insensitive nonselective cation channels? Millions of hectares of Australian agricultural land are affected by salinity. This results in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue each year. The identification of the pathway for the initial influx of Na+ into plants from the soil will be important in helping to develop crop plants that are salt tolerant. This will increase our understanding of the mechanisms of salinity ....Characterisation of PQ loop proteins in plants: are they voltage insensitive nonselective cation channels? Millions of hectares of Australian agricultural land are affected by salinity. This results in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue each year. The identification of the pathway for the initial influx of Na+ into plants from the soil will be important in helping to develop crop plants that are salt tolerant. This will increase our understanding of the mechanisms of salinity tolerance, an area of great importance to Australian agriculture and environmental sustainability. The future applications of this work will increase agricultural productivity and enhance the quality of life for both Australians and the international community.Read moreRead less
Aquaporin channels in cell migration. The project aims to determine the role of Aquaporin1 (AQP1) in enhancing rapid cell motility. Cell migration is important for development, repair, and protection in multicellular organisms. AQP1 is increased in some rapidly migrating cell types. Loss of AQP1 impairs migration, which is restored by reintroduction of AQP1 but not AQP4. Expected outcomes include defining the features of AQP1 that confer enhanced cell migration. The project will test the hypothe ....Aquaporin channels in cell migration. The project aims to determine the role of Aquaporin1 (AQP1) in enhancing rapid cell motility. Cell migration is important for development, repair, and protection in multicellular organisms. AQP1 is increased in some rapidly migrating cell types. Loss of AQP1 impairs migration, which is restored by reintroduction of AQP1 but not AQP4. Expected outcomes include defining the features of AQP1 that confer enhanced cell migration. The project will test the hypothesis that dual water and ion channel functions of AQP1 are needed for movement, using migration assays in cells with wild type and mutant AQP1, and selective pharmacological agents developed by the project team to dissect the essential channel properties that enable rapid migration in cancer and stem cells. The project seeks to build knowledge of AQP roles in development, regeneration and surveillance, potentially improving health care by revealing pathways in migration disorders such as metastasis.Read moreRead less
Fundamental roles of aquaporin-1 channels in cell migration and morphology. This project aims to investigate cell migration mechanisms and the roles of aquaporin channels in controlling cell motility and morphology. The ability of cells to move and maintain proper shape is important for development, repair and survival in multicellular organisms. This project will test the role of mammalian aquaporin-1 channels in enabling rapid migration in normal and cancer cells, in repairing barrier layers i ....Fundamental roles of aquaporin-1 channels in cell migration and morphology. This project aims to investigate cell migration mechanisms and the roles of aquaporin channels in controlling cell motility and morphology. The ability of cells to move and maintain proper shape is important for development, repair and survival in multicellular organisms. This project will test the role of mammalian aquaporin-1 channels in enabling rapid migration in normal and cancer cells, in repairing barrier layers in kidney and brain, and in allowing red blood cells to maintain the classic disk-shape needed for optimal transport. Outcomes will define features of aquaporin-1 that provide these functions, using molecular, optical and pharmacological tools. Results will define aquaporin channel properties that enable optimal cellular function.Read moreRead less
Endosymbiotic DNA transfer. Interorganellar DNA movement is a major force in evolution. In higher organisms, the prokaryotic ancestors of mitochondria and chloroplasts donated many genes to the nucleus. Plants have unique potential in studies of the mechanisms that have driven genome evolution. We established experimentally that DNA moves from the chloroplast to the nucleus at high frequency and this provided us with a world lead in this scientifically new area. The relocated genes contribute to ....Endosymbiotic DNA transfer. Interorganellar DNA movement is a major force in evolution. In higher organisms, the prokaryotic ancestors of mitochondria and chloroplasts donated many genes to the nucleus. Plants have unique potential in studies of the mechanisms that have driven genome evolution. We established experimentally that DNA moves from the chloroplast to the nucleus at high frequency and this provided us with a world lead in this scientifically new area. The relocated genes contribute to the number and diversity of genes and gene function. Genetically manipulated (GM) crops use the chloroplast compartment to make high levels of protein, necessitating a full understanding of how transgenes behave within the cellular and the external environment.Read moreRead less
Solving the Mysteries of Monotreme Chromosomes. The peculiar chromosomes of Australia's platypus and echidna have been debated for more than 30 years. Classical cytology cannot resolve the puzzling sex chromosome system, or to sort out the bizarre translocation chain (unique in vertebrates) and deduce how it segregates to make viable zyotes. I will microdissect individual chromosomes, and use DNA ?paints? from them (and gene probes isolated by them) to detect homologies between unpaired chromoso ....Solving the Mysteries of Monotreme Chromosomes. The peculiar chromosomes of Australia's platypus and echidna have been debated for more than 30 years. Classical cytology cannot resolve the puzzling sex chromosome system, or to sort out the bizarre translocation chain (unique in vertebrates) and deduce how it segregates to make viable zyotes. I will microdissect individual chromosomes, and use DNA ?paints? from them (and gene probes isolated by them) to detect homologies between unpaired chromosomes at mitosis, meiosis and in sperm. I will use immunohistochemistry to clarify chromosome pairing and recombination at meiosis. This will answer some important general questions about chromosome behaviour and sex chromosome evolution.
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The nature, extent and effect of infant removal by child protection. This project aims to provide new knowledge about the nature, extent and effect of removals of babies from their parents in Australia. Removal is the highest level of intervention by the child protection system, and one which some mothers experienced on multiple occasions. Little is known, however, about its incidence and effects, nor whether there are over-represented groups (e.g. Aboriginal mothers and babies) who would respon ....The nature, extent and effect of infant removal by child protection. This project aims to provide new knowledge about the nature, extent and effect of removals of babies from their parents in Australia. Removal is the highest level of intervention by the child protection system, and one which some mothers experienced on multiple occasions. Little is known, however, about its incidence and effects, nor whether there are over-represented groups (e.g. Aboriginal mothers and babies) who would respond to targeted interventions. This project aims to identify appropriate early intervention and prevention strategies, preventing the need for babies to spend their whole childhood in care at great financial and societal cost.Read moreRead less
Regulatory mechanisms for calcium release-activated calcium channels. Store-operated calcium channels play a central role in the functions of all animal cells. They participate in generating the cellular responses to hormones, growth factors and other physiological stimuli. The aims of this project are to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate the activity of store-operated channels and how their properties can be modulated by different pharmacological agents. Using chiefly the techniques of ele ....Regulatory mechanisms for calcium release-activated calcium channels. Store-operated calcium channels play a central role in the functions of all animal cells. They participate in generating the cellular responses to hormones, growth factors and other physiological stimuli. The aims of this project are to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate the activity of store-operated channels and how their properties can be modulated by different pharmacological agents. Using chiefly the techniques of electrophysiology and molecular biology we expect to learn the fundamental mechanisms that modulate the opening and closing of store-operated calcium channels and to gain an important information that can be used for determining the molecular structure of these channelsRead moreRead less
Periodic nano-ratchets: a new paradigm for biomolecule separation. This project proposes the theoretical and experimental study of a new separation principle. The platform technologies developed from this research will see wide ranging applications. They will reveal new insights into fundamental phenomena of membranes and separation processes underpinning development of new generation of separation technologies. New membranes and microchip separation devices which can be applied to genomic, prot ....Periodic nano-ratchets: a new paradigm for biomolecule separation. This project proposes the theoretical and experimental study of a new separation principle. The platform technologies developed from this research will see wide ranging applications. They will reveal new insights into fundamental phenomena of membranes and separation processes underpinning development of new generation of separation technologies. New membranes and microchip separation devices which can be applied to genomic, proteomic, forensic and a range medical, biotechnological and analytical applications will be readily achievable. This is an international and interdisciplinary research project and its outcomes will enhance Australia's ability in frontier technologies, advanced materials.Read moreRead less